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Boat Accessories - Track System #7295441
06/28/21 01:37 PM
06/28/21 01:37 PM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 670
ND
DakotaBoy Offline OP
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DakotaBoy  Offline OP
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Posts: 670
ND
I'm looking at possibly putting some type of track system on the gunnels on my small old Lund. Something like Cisco, TraxsTech, or Bert's. Who has experience with any of these? Things to watch out for or avoid? Should I be looking at a different track system? Only looking to put track on the rear part of the gunnel, from the seats back to the splashwell.

My reasons for wanting to add a track system are that it's a pretty small boat (15'-6"), and my family of four is a tight squeeze. It would be easier to fish with three or even four rods with track-mounted rod holders, and could also add a cup holder for the wife or other critter-comforts without drilling extra holes in the boat. Thoughts?


"Pretty cocky for a starving pilgrim!"
"An elk don't know how many legs a horse has!"
Re: Boat Accessories - Track System [Re: DakotaBoy] #7295581
06/28/21 05:53 PM
06/28/21 05:53 PM
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,485
Iowa
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trapdog1 Offline
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Iowa
I don't have personal experience with this, but I notice track systems on boats like yours at the ramp fairly often, so I guess they must work!

Re: Boat Accessories - Track System [Re: DakotaBoy] #7295909
06/29/21 08:21 AM
06/29/21 08:21 AM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,243
The Hill Country of Texas
Leftlane Offline
"HOSS"
Leftlane  Offline
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Posts: 20,243
The Hill Country of Texas
They are the hot set up on kayaks and small fishing boats. Austin Canoe & Kayak has gadget and gizmo holders that fit the track system and keep your gear close at hand but out of your road


“What’s good for me may not be good for the weak minded.”
Captain Gus McCrae- Texas Rangers


Re: Boat Accessories - Track System [Re: DakotaBoy] #7295922
06/29/21 08:45 AM
06/29/21 08:45 AM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 388
wisconsin, manitowoc
mutt Offline
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mutt  Offline
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wisconsin, manitowoc
I have the berts tracks. 2 36" tracks down the side, and 2 6" tracks for downriggers on the back corners. I switch from walleye trolling set up, to salmon trolling set up, to cruising/ski set up in just a few minutes. Easy to use, can take the rod holders down easily so the fitted cover can go on.

Only quirk I found. I bought the inserts that can go in the track for when we are skiing. In the 36" tracks i needed to cut our inserts, because we couldn't slide the full insert over the top of a cleat that was on the gunnel behind the track.

I also had to clear some styrofoam out from under the gunnel when mounting because I used some big backer plates. That was a pain. That will be dependant on the boat rather than the track brand though.

Re: Boat Accessories - Track System [Re: mutt] #7295954
06/29/21 09:41 AM
06/29/21 09:41 AM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 670
ND
DakotaBoy Offline OP
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DakotaBoy  Offline OP
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Originally Posted by mutt
I have the berts tracks. 2 36" tracks down the side, and 2 6" tracks for downriggers on the back corners. I switch from walleye trolling set up, to salmon trolling set up, to cruising/ski set up in just a few minutes. Easy to use, can take the rod holders down easily so the fitted cover can go on.

Only quirk I found. I bought the inserts that can go in the track for when we are skiing. In the 36" tracks i needed to cut our inserts, because we couldn't slide the full insert over the top of a cleat that was on the gunnel behind the track.

I also had to clear some styrofoam out from under the gunnel when mounting because I used some big backer plates. That was a pain. That will be dependant on the boat rather than the track brand though.

Mind sharing a couple pictures of your setup? I'm not sure if I want to run as long of tracks as I can get away with, or keep the track length minimal.


"Pretty cocky for a starving pilgrim!"
"An elk don't know how many legs a horse has!"
Re: Boat Accessories - Track System [Re: DakotaBoy] #7295993
06/29/21 11:07 AM
06/29/21 11:07 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 17,550
Rodney,Ohio
SNIPERBBB Offline
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Posts: 17,550
Rodney,Ohio
You're better off going longer to make the tracks more stabile, just don't overload it.

Re: Boat Accessories - Track System [Re: DakotaBoy] #7296086
06/29/21 02:27 PM
06/29/21 02:27 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 388
wisconsin, manitowoc
mutt Offline
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mutt  Offline
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Posts: 388
wisconsin, manitowoc
Do you have the wide gunnels or the narrow?
What type of fishing would you use it for. The berts, trax tec, etc... are pretty heavy duty. Not to mention the cost if you just want to be able to move some rode holders around.

I have a T track that runs along the gunnel of my duck boat and use scotty rod holders on that boat. Something like this might be a better option if you don't plan to run heavy trolling set ups.


If I get a chance I will grab some pictures, but probly won't be for a week. On the boat with the berts.

Re: Boat Accessories - Track System [Re: DakotaBoy] #7296097
06/29/21 02:49 PM
06/29/21 02:49 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 388
wisconsin, manitowoc
mutt Offline
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mutt  Offline
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wisconsin, manitowoc
[Linked Image]


Something like this would be cheaper. My duck boat came with this style built into the inside of the gunnel all the way around.

https://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Tra...&hvtargid=pla-569147416030&psc=1

Re: Boat Accessories - Track System [Re: DakotaBoy] #7296099
06/29/21 02:51 PM
06/29/21 02:51 PM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 670
ND
DakotaBoy Offline OP
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DakotaBoy  Offline OP
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ND
The gunnels are around 5" or 6" wide. For the past few years we've been using the plastic Scotty rod holders with the base just bolted to the gunnel. They work alright, but I've had a couple times where the holders have broken from bumping into a dock while it's tied up while I fetch the pickup. I'm always wanting to try different things, so this would add some versatility to the boat. Want to someday try salmon fishing with downriggers, want to try fishing with planer boards, we do a fair bit of trolling bottom bouncers, and maybe a bit of cranking. I really like the idea of moving to Cisco rod holders, whether it be the cradles or the tubes, and being able to move them around where I want them. My wife and i have been bringing our two boys (2 and 4 years old) on the boat a fair bit this year, and being able to make room where needed would be a huge plus, even if it's just getting a rod out of the way. Plus, I'd be able to get the oldest boys' pole out easier without screwing down another permanent plastic base.


"Pretty cocky for a starving pilgrim!"
"An elk don't know how many legs a horse has!"
Re: Boat Accessories - Track System [Re: DakotaBoy] #7296101
06/29/21 03:01 PM
06/29/21 03:01 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 388
wisconsin, manitowoc
mutt Offline
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mutt  Offline
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wisconsin, manitowoc
[Linked Image]

I use carriage bolts in the track to hold the bases in place. With a 1/2" wrench i can lossen em and move em wherever i need 1

Re: Boat Accessories - Track System [Re: DakotaBoy] #7296108
06/29/21 03:11 PM
06/29/21 03:11 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 388
wisconsin, manitowoc
mutt Offline
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mutt  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 388
wisconsin, manitowoc
Sounds good, I will take some pictures next time out. I like the berts, not against anything else just got the best deal on what I wanted with berts. Rod trees, ratcheting rod holders, down rigger pedestals. We just put a cannon track on the charter boat and the guys all like it.

Track wise, all the companies are pretty close to the same as far as the track. The accessories your after might help better pick a brand. However every brand I have seen all will intermingle.

Re: Boat Accessories - Track System [Re: DakotaBoy] #7296126
06/29/21 03:38 PM
06/29/21 03:38 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,406
Green County Wisconsin
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GREENCOUNTYPETE Online content
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GREENCOUNTYPETE  Online Content
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Posts: 18,406
Green County Wisconsin
my dad uses the track system on his boat

biggest reason for the track system is , how you fish will change and evolve your gear will change and evolved , you won't know where everything will need to be mounted until you try it and see

an inch or two may easily make a difference in how a something works

so unless you want a boat that looks like peg board with all the mounting holes you you tried then changed , tracks are the way to go.


America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
Re: Boat Accessories - Track System [Re: GREENCOUNTYPETE] #7296137
06/29/21 03:56 PM
06/29/21 03:56 PM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 670
ND
DakotaBoy Offline OP
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DakotaBoy  Offline OP
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ND
Originally Posted by GREENCOUNTYPETE
my dad uses the track system on his boat

biggest reason for the track system is , how you fish will change and evolve your gear will change and evolved , you won't know where everything will need to be mounted until you try it and see

an inch or two may easily make a difference in how a something works

so unless you want a boat that looks like peg board with all the mounting holes you you tried then changed , tracks are the way to go.

My thoughts exactly!


"Pretty cocky for a starving pilgrim!"
"An elk don't know how many legs a horse has!"
Re: Boat Accessories - Track System [Re: DakotaBoy] #7296167
06/29/21 04:36 PM
06/29/21 04:36 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,262
Indiana
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concrete man Offline
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Posts: 1,262
Indiana
My alum-craft has a track for duck hunt camouflage works great it's 15 foot or close to it.

Re: Boat Accessories - Track System [Re: DakotaBoy] #7296283
06/29/21 06:47 PM
06/29/21 06:47 PM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 388
wisconsin, manitowoc
mutt Offline
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mutt  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 388
wisconsin, manitowoc
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Re: Boat Accessories - Track System [Re: DakotaBoy] #7296597
06/30/21 08:36 AM
06/30/21 08:36 AM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 670
ND
DakotaBoy Offline OP
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Yeah Mutt, that's pretty much what I'm after. Are there any cons to your setup? Anything you would do differently if installing it today?


"Pretty cocky for a starving pilgrim!"
"An elk don't know how many legs a horse has!"
Re: Boat Accessories - Track System [Re: DakotaBoy] #7296627
06/30/21 09:23 AM
06/30/21 09:23 AM
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 388
wisconsin, manitowoc
mutt Offline
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mutt  Offline
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wisconsin, manitowoc
No cons that I have found. Any boat in my future will have a track system.

Re: Boat Accessories - Track System [Re: DakotaBoy] #7296634
06/30/21 09:30 AM
06/30/21 09:30 AM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 670
ND
DakotaBoy Offline OP
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Thanks for the info. I'll have to place an order soon and get the material coming.

On another related note, does anyone here prefer the tube-style rod holders for trolling with bottom bouncers? I'm on the fence between trying out the tube style or staying with the cradle style that I'm familiar with.


"Pretty cocky for a starving pilgrim!"
"An elk don't know how many legs a horse has!"
Re: Boat Accessories - Track System [Re: DakotaBoy] #7296641
06/30/21 09:46 AM
06/30/21 09:46 AM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 670
ND
DakotaBoy Offline OP
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DakotaBoy  Offline OP
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Here's the boat I'm looking to put the track system on. 15' 6" 1980 Lund VFR - "Versatile, Fast, & Roomy" was the marketing slogan for her back in the day. If only whoever designed this boat could see what boats have become these days, I bet they'd find a different name and slogan for this one whistle

[Linked Image]


"Pretty cocky for a starving pilgrim!"
"An elk don't know how many legs a horse has!"
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